title: A partially mummified corpse with pink teeth and pink nails.
abstract: A female corpse in a state of advanced decomposition and putrefaction with pink teeth and an equivalent discolouration of several fingernails was found by a group of hunters in a forest. A combination of trimipramin intoxication, hypothermia and pneumonia could be established as the cause of death. Autolysis or blood congestion can only favour the occurrence of a pink discoloration. Pink phenomena depend on special anatomical features such as the existence of porus structures protected by a dense material, which explains the occurrence of a pink discoloration in teeth and fingernails. The non-specificity of congestion, its genesis and reinforcement by exogeneous factors does not allow pink phenomena to be used as specific forensic evidence.
authors.affiliation: Institute für Rechtsmedizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ortmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DuChesne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009106:Mummies; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins